The Sufid dynasty was a Turkic dynasty of Mongolic origin that ruled in Khwarazm within the realm of the Golden Horde in the Amu Darya river delta. Although the dynasty's independence was short-lived, its later members continued to rule Khwarezm intermittently as governors of the Timurid Empire until the takeover of Khwarezm by the Shaybanid Uzbeks in 1505. Unlike earlier dynasties that ruled from Khwarezm, the Sufids never used the title Khwarazmshah.
Coin of Sufid ruler Husayn, struck at the Khwarezm mint, dated 1365/6
Coin of Sufid ruler Yusuf, struck at the Khwarezm mint, dated 1375/6
Khwarazm or Chorasmia is a large oasis region on the Amu Darya river delta in western Central Asia, bordered on the north by the (former) Aral Sea, on the east by the Kyzylkum Desert, on the south by the Karakum Desert, and on the west by the Ustyurt Plateau. It was the center of the Iranian Khwarezmian civilization, and a series of kingdoms such as the Afrighid dynasty and the Anushtegin dynasty, whose capitals were Kath, Gurganj and—from the 16th century on—Khiva. Today Khwarazm belongs partly to Uzbekistan and partly to Turkmenistan.
Chorasmian fresco from Kazakly-Yatkan (fortress of Akcha-Khan Kala), 1st century BC-2nd century AD.
Chilpyk Zoroastrian Tower of Silence (Dakhma), 1st century BC – 1st century AD
Xerxes I tomb, Choresmian soldier circa 470 BC.
Koi Krylgan Kala fortress (4th-3rd century BC)
